2025 Project Update
The lower trail was completed in 2013, and the upper trail opened in 2017. The lower trail burned in the Thomas fire and was rebuilt. The Franklin Trail has hosted the Island View Trail Run seven times.
Trail Map:
https://santabarbaratrails.org/maps/franklin/franklin-trail-2024.pdf
Project History
Location:
County of Santa Barbara | Carpinteria, CA
Description:
Franklin Trail Phase I: The Trails Council was initially retained to build one mile of the Franklin Trail through steep, rugged terrain through private ranch property across easements, which had been offered for dedication. Because the offers to dedicate this trail easement were set to expire within less than 2 months, our construction manager had to rapidly lay out trail design within a constrained easement. Trails Council crews constructed this trail within 25 working days. We mobilized added construction crews and volunteers in coordination with the County Parks Division, the City of Carpinteria, Santa Barbara County Land Trust, Montecito Trails Foundation, and the Friends of the Franklin Trail. Trail construction was completed in advance of the expiration of the offers to dedicate, and now the public heavily uses the trail.
Franklin Trail Phase III: The Trails Council coordinated with LPNF and other community organizations on reopening 2.7 miles of the upper Franklin Trail which had been closed for more than 40 years. This included initial fieldwork to assess the condition of this long abandoned trail segment using handheld GPS devices to locate key areas and plot particularly problematic spots to devise a plan of work for reopening this trail through very steep and rugged terrain. Our team then sponsored and managed cultural and biological resources analyses to allow LPNF to support the preparation of a Categorical Exclusion for this project under NEPA. The final report provides an analysis of the conditions and issues involved in restoring 2.7 miles of the historic Franklin Trail and provides the basis for coordinating Trails Council crews, teams of volunteers, and “Hot Shot” fire crews to complete this project. The Trails Council also coordinated the fundraising campaign and is overseeing additional work to repair Thomas Fire-related damage to the trail.
Client:
U.S. Forest Service & County of Santa Barbara | Community Services | Parks Division
Funding:
Trail planning and construction funded by $100,000+ in donations to the Trails Council from community members.
Contact:
Jill Van Wie, Capital Projects Manager
805-568-2470; jvanwie@co.santa-barbara.ca.us
John “Pancho” Smith, District Ranger, Santa Barbara District